William Theodore Doxford
Sir William Theodore Doxford (1841-1916), shipbuilder of William Doxford and Sons
1841 Born at Bridge Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Co. Durham, on 1 February; first of four sons of the merchant shipwright William Doxford (1812-1882) and his wife, Hannah (1814–1895).
1858 William senior opened a shipyard at Pallion on the south bank of the River Wear, near Sunderland. William junior began work there after being educated at Bramham College
1863 he married Margaret (d. 1916), daughter of Richard Wilkinson, a Sunderland shipbuilder.
1882 Took over direction of the family business William Doxford and Sons on the death of his father
Doxford took a close interest in labour relations; he helped to make a success of the conciliation board established in Sunderland in 1885 and he was a witness to the Royal Commission on labour in 1892. He often represented Wearside on the National Federation of Shipbuilding Employers and was chairman of the Wear Shipbuilders' Association from 1908 to 1912.
Doxford was the first Conservative to be elected for Sunderland for forty years when he became a Unionist MP in 1895.
1900 Knighted
1906 He retired from parliament in 1906.
1916 Died; was still head of the family firm.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of William Doxford, ODNB [1]